The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-24
HELPING THE MINISTER.

If you have minister you ought to
help him in his work, and try to make
it pleasant for him in his passionate.
He often needs your material and per-
sonal assistance. He has come to
town with his goods, and is moving
into his house. Did you see that the
parsonage, if you had one, was put in
good repair, and was clearly and ready
for the moving in of the goods =? Or, if
it was hired house, did you, or will
you,-for ministers are moving in all the
time see that everything is done, that
can be, to make the removal easy for
him ? If he should find good new
carpet in the parlor, or a nice book case
in the study, all the better. Perhaps
he would not find fault if some one had
found out that he was coming, and had
opened the house, and kindled up
fire, and set the table, so that the fam
lily coming should be greeted in hos
pitable way. And then, when his goods
come, you might go to the house and
offer your services, although for most
things you could not do as well as the
parson himself. But kind attentions
and thoughtfulness are worth every
thing. Even when the PASTORS family
have been on vacation, and the house
has been shut up, how nice to find out
when they are to return, and open it,
light it, load the table with food and
flowers, and fill the rooms with friends.
l speak here from delightful experience,
many time.
Or, sadder even than moving into a
house, is moving out Of it, after long
and happy stay with a delightful peo-
Pile. Did you let the family pack up
and 60 away without going over to see
them, and say good-by, and to sympa-
thize with and help them, or offer to
do so? Give them pleasant send
off, at least. Give them home while
they are breaking up, and formal re-
ception before finally leaving. No mat
ter if everything hasn't been pleasant;
no matter if all can not join heartily in
this last act of courtesy and love. Do
it; make them little present of your
good feelings, your good will, if moth
ing else. Forget, forgive, be large and
noble, and ever welcome these people
to your homes in after days. They
have given many an hour, thought, act
of love for what no money was paid or
could pay for. Or, if it is all regret, all
around, still try to make the pastors
exit as easy as possible by not unduly
emphasizing the character Of the sep
aration.
Then, not only at the beginning and
the end of the pastorate should you be
as helpful and as kind and sympathetic
as possible; but between these dates
show the friendly spirit and the loving
act. 1 will tell you what to do; make
it point to call and see the pastor and
his family. Do not wait for them to
call to see you; go and see them. The
ladies, probably, will do so; the gen.
tlemen, also, ought to do it. The peo-
pie, all, should call, and not put it off,
and not be too ceremonious,-the very
rich, and the very poor, and all others.
The pastor wants to know you all, and
see you all at his home. Probably one
third Of the people of parish call on
the minister-two-third of the ladies
call on his wife. There are usually
some poor families who do not call, for
various reasons; but he would be just
as glad to see you as the rich. Some
times it really seems as though some
people felt too good to make a call of
that kind; as though it was a conde-
scension-and within a stones throw
of the parsonage. That is not right
1t is not Christian. There may be good
reasons why you do not do it but
make them known, or call; show them